Texas A&M Football Star Darren Lewis Dies at 55 after Battle with Cancer

Darren Lewis, the former Texas A&M star who held the Southwest Conference rushing record, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 55 after a fight against cancer. Lewis, who had a promising football career ahead of him, saw his dreams shattered by addiction, which affected his life both on and off the field.

Lewis, a standout player at Dallas' Carter High School, gained national attention and was considered one of the top prospects alongside Emmitt Smith in 1987. He went on to break Eric Dickerson's Southwest Conference rushing record by accumulating 5,012 yards from 1987 to 1990, surpassing the previous mark held by Earl Campbell. Although he finished his collegiate career fifth in the NCAA career rushing list, Lewis faced challenges during the NFL draft process.

During the draft process, Lewis admitted being exposed to cocaine at parties and by potential agents who assured him he would test negative. However, he became the only player to test positive for cocaine at the NFL combine, causing his draft stock to plummet. He was eventually selected in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears, who claimed they were unaware of his failed drug test and sent him to rehab.

In his NFL career, Lewis started only five games out of 33 appearances, rushing for a total of 431 yards. Although he managed to avoid failing any drug tests, he faced other difficulties, including being arrested for domestic battery charges in 1993. Lewis' downfall shocked his former coaches, Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum, who expressed their surprise and disappointment.

Following the end of his professional football career, Lewis returned to Dallas with hopes of turning his life around. However, he continued to struggle with addiction, leading to further legal troubles. By 1995, he had lost all his money and his home. Lewis faced shoplifting charges in 1998 and subsequent arrests in 2004, 2005, and 2006, which ultimately resulted in a prison sentence for armed robberies.

In 2014, Lewis received a 27-year prison sentence for a series of armed robberies, including injuring a 7-Eleven cashier by accidentally shooting them in the leg. He reflected on his past actions, admitting his selfishness and the pain he caused to others. Lewis acknowledged the consequences of his wrong choices, urging young people to learn from his life as a cautionary tale.

While serving his sentence, Lewis developed a mass on his shoulder, which was later diagnosed as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that had spread to his organs. He was transferred to a prison in North Carolina for medical care and was eventually released in 2020 as part of a compassionate release program.

In his final years, Lewis found solace in his faith and underwent a transformation. He remained strong despite his health challenges and saw his release from prison as an opportunity to change his life. Darren Lewis's positive outlook and perseverance in the face of adversity left a lasting impression on those who knew him.

Darren Lewis's passing is a reminder of the consequences of making poor choices and the devastating effects it can have on one's life and those around them. His story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of making the right decisions.